2015 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 254 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 9 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchJun 5, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
Campaign 17V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
13 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 2, 2024
Misfire code P0302 Injector failed open, flooded cylinder with fuel. Gas in the oil Possible cylinder failure Lack of compression
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 18, 2024
Engine has goes on out at 99000 miles has seized up .
Steering, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2023
While driving at 65 mph on an urban expressway, the engine quit without warning and would not restart. This resulted in diminished steering and braking control as well as exposure near the edge of traffic on a narrow berm of an overpass bridge. Full tank of fuel, good battery, the engine would not crank or restart. All electrical accessories work fine.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 4, 2023
On August 2, 2023 I was driving my truck and it completely shut off on me on the highway. I push the start button to turn the engine and it just keep turning like it wanted to start, but it didn't. Called the tow truck to take it to the shop, to then get a call after two days saying that they couldn't find out what was going on, because when they ran the test it didn't come back with any code. The clerk informed me that when he started my truck that next day, it cranked as if nothing was wrong. He drove it around about 15-20 minutes ,and it didn't do anything like what it had done the previous day before. I am very concerned because this could have been a bad outcome because I was in the highway on Wednesday. I need someone to further look into this matter.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 19, 2022
Driving on a busy, 4-lane street, approaching intersection with larger road (ref: speed limits 40 & 50, respectively). Vehicle suddenly, without warning (normal temp gauge, oil pressure, etc.; check engine light off) lost all ability to accelerate. Narrowly avoided being rear-ended as a car attempted to accelerate while changing lanes. Moving with urgency (2 babies in car-seats at rear, wife at passenger, busy road with some blind spots), I put hazards on, shut the engine off, restarted, and attempted to drive. No response, still no CEL indication. 2nd attempt, shut engine off, restarted, this time shifted to low gear. Able to accelerate up to ~5-10mph and signaling to approaching vehicles with arms through window, we were able to get to a parking lot and called a tow truck. Scary situation to have zero acceleration suddenly with babies in the back on a busy street with blind spots. Towed to a certified Hyundai dealership. Been >5 months now, never received formal diagnosis (however, rec'd quote to replace the engine ILO written cause of failure--odd). Rec'd pics of the engine, told by non-technical service liaison issue was "head got stuck open, during combustion cycle, engine was burned up". This presents identical to previous Hyundai recall RE: failing connecting rod bearing(s) & oil consumption. Upon inspection, motor oil presented: (1) low & (2) copper tinted + fine silver-colored metal shavings--indicative of issue for which Hyundai Theta engine was recalled. Dealer ultimately said Hyundai would not cover and engine failure was due to improper maintenance schedule (I changed oil regularly). This is not an indictment, but resistance to formalized written diagnosis, the evidence in the engine, Hyundai & dealers refusal to cover, and life & history of vehicle (well maintained, 63K miles)--all lead me to suspect Hyundai USA is attempting to sidestep manufacturer responsibility to recall. Similar reports found--compiled a list >100 in one session.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 20, 2022
Engine replaced during recall 10 months prior. New fuel line on new engine begins leaking fuel onto exhaust vehicle smoking no warning lights or indicators
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 15, 2021
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 65MPH AFTER 15 MIN THERE IS A BURNING RUBBER SMELL, THE OIL IS LOW EVEN THOUGH I CHANGED IT 3 WEEKS AGO, IT IS CONSUMING TWICE AS MUCH GAS AS BEFORE. I CALLED A CERTIFIED HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO AVAILABILITY, I HAVE A SAFTEY CONCERN BECAUSE ENGINE FIRES CAN HAPPEN. NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED TO ABS RECALL
Exterior lighting, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 17, 2020
FUEL CONSUMED MORE , LIGHTENING IN BACK NOT CLEAR , ENGINE SOUND ,
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 2, 2018
TWICE ENGINE QUIT WHILE OPERATING WITH NO WARNING. ONCE AT 60MPH AND THE OTHER AT SLOW SPEED WHILE TURNING AROUND. RESTARTED BY PLACING IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH START BUTTON WHILE STILL MOVING. 21000+ MILES. DEALER OFFERS NO EXPLANATION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH HYUNDAI VEHICLES. NO FIXES I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND AND LITTLE SATISFACTION FROM THE MFR.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 23, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND OTHER FLUIDS. THE OIL WAS VERY LOW. I PUT IN A FEW QUARTS OF OIL IMMEDIATELY AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET AN OIL CHANGE PROFESSIONALLY SHORTLY AFTER. I NOTICED THE ENGINE WITH HESITATE AND IDLING BECAME ROUGH. AT THE SAME TIME, THE FUEL MILES PER GALLON DECREASED DRASTICALLY.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 10, 2018
STARTED THE CAR ONE MORNING AND IT RAN ROUGH. TURNED OFF A/C AND CAR SMOOTHED OUT. AS WE TURNED OFF OF OUR ROAD WE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 1MPH PER EVERY FEW SECONDS. WE PULLED OFF IN THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND THE CAR DIED. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS AND THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVING NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL PER HYUNDAI'S CORPORATE POLICY. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON IT!!
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 7, 2017
THE CAR STALLS AND COMPLETELY LOSES POWER. WE JUST HIT THE 62K MILE MARK. WHEN IT LOSES POWER EVEN THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. WHEN YOU STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE CAR JERKS. THE EXHAUST IS SMOKING BADLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND WITH MORE THAN ONE DRIVER.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 26, 2016
FOR A WEEK (JULY 4-11, 2015) I RENTED A SANTA FE SPORT SUV FROM NATIONAL AT HOBBY AIRPORT IN HOUSTON, TX. ONLY AFTER DRIVING IT DURING THE WEEK DID I DISCOVER THE WORST PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR ' IT HAD A PREDOMINANT TENDENCY TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, ESPECIALLY WHEN A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN WAS TO BE EXECUTED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, WITH A REAL POSSIBILITY OF BEING STRUCK BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC.